Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell

Service number 607
Ranks Held Company Sergeant Major, Lieutenant, Private, Second Lieutenant
Birth Date 1896-02-10
Birth Place Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Annandale
Death Date 1967-07-06
Death Place Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Matraville
Final Rank Lieutenant
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 18 Battalion
  • 18th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1918-02-06
Published in London Gazette in 1919-02-01
Published in London Gazette in 1918-05-13
Published in London Gazette in 1919-01-06
Published in London Gazette in 1917-11-19
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-10-24
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-06-27
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-03-07
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-05-23
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1919-06-03
Description

Joe Maxwell (1896-1967) was an apprentice boilermaker before enlisting in Sydney in February 1915. He served on Gallipoli and the Western Front. Rough, tough, and exceptionally brave, he was commissioned in late 1917. In little more than a year he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), the Military Cross and Bar, and the Victoria Cross.

On 3 October 1918, Maxwell took over when his company commander was wounded and captured a machine-gun. He then attacked another post. Later he was briefly taken prisoner. During a barrage, he managed to pull out a concealed revolver, shoot two of the enemy, and escape.

Although aged just 22, Maxwell became the second most highly decorated Australian. He later worked in a variety of jobs. His book, Hell's bells and mademoiselles (published 1932), became a war classic. Using an alias, he enlisted in the Second World War but was discovered and discharged.

Maxwell was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and Bar, DCM, service medals for the First World War, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 10 February 1896
Date of embarkation 25 May 1915
Date of recommendation honour or award 25 September 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 27 September 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 25 October 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 1918-02
Date of recommendation honour or award 08 March 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 08 March 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 March 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 14 August 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 23 August 1918
Date of honour or award 03 October 1918 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Beaurevoir line, near Estrees, France whilst serving with 18 Battalion, 5 Brigade, 2 Division as a Lieutenant.
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 14 October 1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 14 October 1918
Date of death 06 July 1967